Florida sees its fair share of distracted driving accidents every year. In 2024, over 2,200 people suffered injuries as a result of a distracted driver in the Sunshine State. These types of car accidents can leave you with serious losses that you may not be sure how to address. So what are your legal options if you were in a collision in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
One of the choices you may have if you sustained serious injuries is to file a personal injury claim. At Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers, our team of Florida distracted driving accident lawyers can assist you so you don’t have to navigate the complexities of claims on your own. Learn more about distracted driving accidents in Fort Walton Beach and how our team can help.
Contact us online or call (850) 604-3844 today.
How Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Distracted Driving Accident in Fort Walton Beach, FL
Florida is a no-fault state for collisions. This means that you would typically file with your own personal injury protection insurance for compensation after a crash.
If you sustain serious injuries, however, you may be able to step outside of no-fault laws and file against the liable person. To do this, it’s vital that you hire experienced representation.
At Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers, our team of Fort Walton Beach car accident attorneys can help you fight for fair compensation.
We offer services such as:
- Evaluating your claim during a free consultation
- Investigating the distracted driving accident
- Gathering evidence to prove negligence or wrongful conduct occurred
- Establishing liability
- Calculating economic and non-economic damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Litigating, as needed
We understand how devastating it can be to sustain losses in a collision that wasn’t your fault, and we’re ready to fight on your behalf to help you obtain fair compensation. Schedule a free consultation with one of our compassionate and tenacious attorneys.
Understanding Distracted Driving Accidents in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Distracted driving happens when a driver is not fully paying attention to what they’re doing while they’re operating a motor vehicle. By far, cell phone use is the most common distraction, but there are other distractions that could put the lives of everyone else on the road at risk.
These include:
- Self-grooming
- Eating and drinking
- Speaking with passengers
- Reaching for objects
- Changing radio stations
- Looking at the GPS
- Reading billboards or road signs
There are also internal distractions. Someone who is preoccupied with personal issues may not realize there’s a hazard on the road. People who are driving while fatigued can also be distracted and may try to stay awake by doing something else at the same time as driving, such as eating.
Distracted driving can result in any type of accident, though the most common is rear-end crashes. Someone who is not paying attention to the road will not notice that the vehicles in front of them have slowed or stopped, and this easily leads to collisions.
What to Do Immediately After a Distracted Driving Accident in Fort Walton Beach
The moments after the crash are essential. First, ensure that you and your passengers are safe. Call emergency services to get paramedics to the scene. Do this even if you’re not sure whether you’re hurt. Often, the adrenaline of being in a crash prevents you from feeling pain, so getting assessed by a professional means getting immediate medical help.
Make sure to speak with the police. You will need their report to file any type of claim. Provide as much information as possible about how the crash occurred.
After you exchange information with the other driver, start gathering evidence from the site. Take pictures of the vehicles, your injuries, the road conditions, and anything else that could help you establish fault. If there are eyewitnesses, get their statements or contact information, too.
Call your insurer and let them know that you were in a crash. Don’t speak too much about who caused the crash, but instead stick to the facts of the injuries you sustained. Immediately afterward, contact attorneys to assist you in beginning the claim.
Contact Our Fort Walton Beach Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
It is never enjoyable to be in a car accident. You can sustain injuries that make it impossible to live your life as you used to, and these injuries can also result in significant medical expenses. By hiring attorneys with experience, you can fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers, we provide the ongoing support you need as you navigate this difficult moment in your life. Contact us for a free consultation with a Fort Walton Beach distracted driving accident attorney.